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Perimenopause and SEVERE joint pain - any one else??

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Lesley998
Lesley998

Hi

I am 50 and have been in perimenopause for some time. I just wanted to post here to see if anyone else has suffered extreme joint pain as a result of fluctuating estrogen.

Quick history: regular as clockwork from the age of 13 - up to and after the two pregnancies in my thirties.Then aged 47 I started to get very heavy and irregular periods. Then I went for six months with no period at all, then two very scant light periods in quick succession. I have had nothing now for two months but I do feel as if it might happen soon as sore boobs etc.

I have never had a hot flush. I do however have lots of other peri symptoms, including insomnia, heart palpitations and skipped beats, and a strange 'rushing' or whooshing feeling which starts in the abdomen which I think is an 'adrenal' surge. I also have other vague and odd symptoms, dry eyes and inside my nose, and a really vile taste in my mouth sometimes - I mean really vile, like a chemical taste, unrelated to anything I have eaten. I also have odd tingling skin sometimes, which I can only describe as feeling like 'cold' sunburn!

However, about the joint pain. Three months ago I literally woke up one morning with a sore left arm/elbow. Over a few days, the pain then moved into my shoulders, and I got really worried as if was incredibly painful, and showed no signs of going away, it just got worse and worse. It is worse in the morning when I wake up, I am as stiff as a board. It is on my mind 24/7. Doing normal things is almost impossible - I have problems carrying shopping, drying my hair,walking the dog, driving...everything seems to hurt . I have never suffered from arthritic pain, and I went to the doctor thinking I had some awful bone disease, or even polymyalgia. I was told I had nerve pain!! The GP was terrible and made me feel like a hypochondriac and it was all in my mind. I was told I had good range of movement, and no inflammation. But I am in agony, and i am not imagining it.I made the mistake of asking Dr.Google too, which is never a good idea as I scared myself half to death. I never even thought it could be related to hormones or menopause, as the pain was just SO bad and I had never heard of joint pain being a symptom.I mean I have read than meno can be bad for some women, and I expected hot flushes etc, but I didnt realise it meant pain like this.

Anyway - for the last few weeks I have been having worsening pain which has spread from left elbow and both shoulders, into left hip, both elbows and now my knees. All my joints are cracking and popping loudly and even my husband can hear the awful grating in my neck and my knees....I sound like a one man band as I go up and down the stairs!

I went In for my three yearly Cervical smear on Monday, and could hardly get up on the examining couch I was so stiff and sore. Womans health is dealt with by the Nurse Practitioners in our large practice (15 GP's) and when the NP saw my discomfort she asked me what was wrong. It turns out she has a real interest in womens health, and has been involved in HRT trials and research for many years. She informed me that my symptoms all point to fluctuating estrogen, and possible thyroid involvement. She told me a load of stuff about estrogen and cartilage, dry mucosa etc, the details of which I can't remember now but which made so much sense when she explained it - even down to the foul taste and tingling skin I have also experienced on and off for months which are both known side effects of estrogen surge as the ovaries go a bit haywire. Asmall percentage of women are very receptive to estrogen fluctuations which involve cartilage, which mainly manifest as abnormally severe joint pain/menopausal arthritis but it is not an 'obvious' symptom of perimenopause.

I asked why the GP was no help, and she just raised her eyebrows when I told her which male GP it was, and told me to make another appointment as soon as possible with a specific GP (who must be more knowledgeable about womens health.) Going in tomorrow to see her.

I can't do HRT as I have a heart condition, but maybe I can do estrogen cream, or phytoestrogen/soy.) It could last for a long time I guess until I come out the other side !

So i have not yet been diagnosed, but it sounds like it could be caused by estrogen. Sorry this has been so long....but anyone else out there feel the same way I do???

Lesley.

85 likes, 1485 replies

1485 Replies

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  • louisa24
    louisa24 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hi Lesley went and saw the rhumatologist last week who was concerned about the amount of pain I am now in,and also the fact that I have had to give up my job. He looked at my knees and said there was swelling in one and the other was inflamed. My wrists he thinks are the tendons. He sent me for xrays on my hip and feet as my foot is very swollen during the day. He also sent me for more blood tests and I have to have a scan on my knee. I now have the joy for the first time in my life of trying to claim benefits which I hate. I have now to wait for another appointment to see what he is going to do. How are you doing? I will keep you posted.

    Louisa

  • Blessed_Mimi
    Blessed_Mimi Lesley998

    Posted

    Yes... I'm linking estrogen to my joint pain also. We rise in estrogen right before our periods and my joints bother me with a lightening pain affect right before I start . I take flaxseed for a natural estrogen effect and on the days I have taken too much the joint pain returns...I'm believing right there with you!

    Be blessed!!

  • luci42
    luci42 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hi everyone. I am Luci and a newbie!!!!

    Straight in then. I have had horrific pain in my hips, shoulders, inside elbows and worse of all, my knees. I have never had a hot flush, but have had palpitations, and no bleeding whatsoever for two years. I have had three rounds of blood tests and they always come back normal. I have also had ultrasound scans to check for lumps, etc, all normal. Should I go back to the doctors for more blood tests? Is there any point if they are gonna be normal? Are the symptoms of premature ovary failure similar to the menopause? I am failry convinced the I am having/ have had an early menopause. Are there anymore tests that I could have? I have had blood tests for thyroid, hormones, kidney function and another ( I can't remember what for, sorry), all normal. Can anyone please enlighten me as to any possible causes of my symptoms, as I am a home carer who feels that my clients are fitter than me !!!!!

    • page10537
      page10537 luci42

      Posted

      Luci,

      These are also my symptoms. And I was around 48 when I hadn't had anymore periods for a year. I take vitamin D, kelp (for thyroid) b12, folic acid and evening primrose and drink a little bit of aloe gel in juice everyday.. All of these seem to help lessen the symptoms and I pray they eventually go away when I'm finished with the change. I wouldn't bother with anymore tests since they have come back fine.Unfortunately, many gp's seem to not know much about menopause, and I always think getting through it naturally is the best. Our bodies are going through enough without adding chemicals to the scenario. Hope your feeling better quickly!

      Page 

    • luci42
      luci42 page10537

      Posted

      Hi. Thank you for replying. I think I may visit my GP one more time, but I agree with you about getting through it naturally, but I would like to be able to have it properly diagnosed( if they can manage that).

      Will see how it goes.

      Luci

  • page10537
    page10537 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hi Lesley, 

    I have had the exact symptoms to a tee! I am taking supplements such as , vitamin D, frolic acid, B 12 and evening primrose, c and kelp all of which seem to help

  • bitsy61622
    bitsy61622 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hi.  Really have been interested in discussions!  I am 52 and have been on hrt for over 5 years.  Now my md want to wean we off of them.  I had no idea and stopped cold turkey!  Wow!  Hot flashes started back, night sweats, but worse was pain in my knees.   I tried black kohash for a few weeks but saw no changes.  Maybe I did not try it long enough?  I called my gyn and he said to start hrt back.  I didn't want to but needed relief!  All my symptoms went away.  Now I'm trying to slowly wean myself off again by taking 1 pill every other day.  The hot flashes have started back but not as bad, but my joints are painful!  I'm trying swimming and I think it helps some.  Any suggestion by anyone of natural remedies that have helped
    • Blessed_Mimi
      Blessed_Mimi bitsy61622

      Posted

      I have the joint pains and they feel like lightening strikes and hits me out of no where. Very painful!  I agree with 1helen16248 Maca works quickly for me. I buy all my herbs at _________. I think they are very inexpensive herbs compared to other websites. I figure why not try them when they are so cheap and if they don't work for you then you haven't spent alot. Good luck to you. Be blessed xx

      Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as we do not publish links to selling sites. If any user wants the specific link please use the private messaging service.

      http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • helen16248
      helen16248 bitsy61622

      Posted

      Helped with the aches and pains big time.

      Unfortunately not hot flashes I am having a lot and I am not on HRT. I want to try and stick them for as long as I possibly can without putting chemicals into my body.

      If you go back on the past posts on this site there are loads of lovely ladies who give great advice on alternative remedies.

      Hope this helps x

    • Retired2011
      Retired2011 bitsy61622

      Posted

      Hi Bitsy,

      firstly, I am not sure why your Dx has chosen to take you off of HRT if it is helping you and giving you a good quality of life, especially in your 50's.

      however, if you personally feel you want to taper off, what helped me a great deal was black cohosh and a very knowledagle acupuncturist for hot flashes and other assorted horrible meno stuff.  I would of taken Chineese herbs, which are actually more effective than BC and other single herbs, since it is a combo of herbs, but could not tolerate it. I might of been able to tought it out, unfortunately for me I had to many symptons (about 19) that I had to go bak on estrogen and I am glad I did.

      My story:  I was on estrogen for 7 years (started at 51) and decided to try and taper down and then come off last December.  For the first two months was fine then all the estrogen dried up in my body and it was truly horrible with hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, dry mouth, and other really bad issues.  I stuck it out for six months, but had to go back on since my sanity was at stake!  LOL!!

      actually, my Dx was annoyed that I went off in the first place.  Some women are lucky and they are fine, some not so fine as everyone is so different.  So try the acupuncture/herbs if you want to try and stay off, watch your diet, especially with alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, sugar since they affect how you metabolize estrogen and they are responsible for spike in your hormones and try not to stress out since that makes the flashes worse.  I took up meditation which helped. Good luck!

      Sandy

  • tanya76616
    tanya76616 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hey Lesley.  I am a new 50, menopause started at 44. I have googled joint pain and found your comments. I have a fabulous doctor and have found that even though I have always been an active person with ballet, horse riding, Jane Fonda workouts (lol), speedwalking and the gym for all my adult years I am now suffering with joint pain.   Not hugely, but enough that I can't do what I've always been able to do.  I'm a little frightened that I can't move as freely as I could. I'm not overweight and all the other things are fine.  
  • tanya76616
    tanya76616 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hey Lesley, I am just a new 50, started menopause at 44. Initially just hot flushes, then weight gain.  Horrible but you deal with it.  But, over the past 18 mths, my joints are niggling me. I know you went through terrible pain, I'm not there but a little frightened. My thumbs, elbows and shoulders. I do have a great doctor, but need to know that I'm not alone. I've been tested and though I have mighty bone density, my cartilege is poor in my joints.  Which sucks - I've always been very active. Why is this happening?   I hate having to ask my husband to open a jar, because my thumb joints won't work, having to get a hand up to get on a tiny stool!  My joints creaking when I get out of bed.  I'm only just past 49,  I work with the elderly and I am very apprehensive about what to expect.  I have always been hands on and active and am pretty frightened about whats in store for me.  I take Krill Oil and Glucosamine. sad
  • helen16248
    helen16248 Lesley998

    Posted

    Hi ladies

    Along with the sweats I have awful mouth ulcers. My mouth is on fire during the night with them. I found that if I sleep with my mouth slightly open it eases the burning and throbbing a lot.

    Another little tip for anyone finding it hard to sleep.  I use a body pillow, wow they are great. I have a lovely soft cushy bouncy one and I wrap my arms and legs around it. It's like my new security blanket I absolutely love it especially if my joints are playing me up

    X

    • helen16248
      helen16248 Sandy07

      Posted

      Hi Mooma28

      I am in Northern Ireland and I bought it in a place called Dunelm.

      You can also buy them in Mother care for expectant mothers.

      Type in long body pillow to your search engine see what it throws up.

      They are excellent for comfort and support for aching joints.

      Hope this helps.!

      x

    • kerry91
      kerry91 helen16248

      Posted

      Hi helen,

      try zinc supplement for mouth ulcers, works wonders; I also avoid alcohol as it stops you absorbing zinc.

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